Sealed Gimbal for Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Cold Water Pipe

ABSTRACT

A gimbal that provides for passive vertical latching and unlatching of a Cold Water Pipe (CWP) in a floating vessel such as an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) facility is sealingly connected to a cold water sump on the floating vessel. The CWP gimbal is capable of reacting all static and dynamic forces of the suspended CWP at angles on the order of +/−20 degrees while remaining sealed at high differential pressures.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/695,880, filed on Aug. 31, 2012.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to floating vessels requiring the input of large volumes of cold seawater to support onboard processes—e.g., Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) facilities, floating natural gas liquefaction plantships, and the like. More particularly, it relates to the Cold Water Pipe (CWP) used to bring cold water up from depth in such facilities.

2. Description of the Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The OTEC (Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion) process uses the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cold, deep seawater (˜1000 m below the surface) to power a heat engine and produce useful work, usually in the form of electricity. The most commonly used heat cycle for OTEC is the Rankine cycle using a low-pressure turbine. Systems may be either closed-cycle or open-cycle. Closed-cycle engines use working fluids that are typically thought of as refrigerants such as ammonia, R-134a or organic fluids. Open-cycle engines use vapor from the seawater itself as the working fluid. OTEC facilities may generate electricity and desalinated water as well as other energy carriers such as hydrogen (H₂) and ammonia (NH₃).

The OTEC process requires one or more large diameter Cold Water Pipes (CWPs) connected to a floating power plant that extend to ocean depths of approximately 500 to 1000 meters. The CWP is a conduit for the delivery of cold water to the surface, and the CWPs are sized on the order of 4 meters in diameter for each 10 MW of power generation capacity.

The large diameter CWP may be rigidly constructed of steel, thermoplastics, fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) or other suitable materials. The CWP is subjected to the first and second order motions of the surface floater, ocean currents and submerged wave forces, as well as hydraulic pressure differentials.

The CWP must gimbal freely while connected to the surface vessel at quasi-static and dynamic angles of approximately 10 to 20 degrees with respect to the vertical axis. During these conditions the CWP must continually deliver cold water to the surface power plant with minimal flow restrictions in the pipe inner diameter. The gimbal must therefore provide an effective seal and support the CWP self-weight, inertial, and drag forces while gimballing with respect to the surface vessel. The gimbal seal must withstand differential pressures of approximately 1.7 bar, which are normally positive on the outside of the CWP, but can also be positive on the inside of the CWP under some conditions.

Gimballing connections have been provided for Steel Catenary Risers (SCRs) to surface floaters which are capable of sealingly transporting fluids under pressure such as oil, gas and water. These pipeline connections are usually on the order of 8 to 24 inches in diameter. However, the gimballing connection of the OTEC CWP poses unique problems due to its order-of-magnitude larger diameter. This can be solved by keeping the gimballing structural connection near the center of the CWP, but the seal must withstand a relatively high pressure at the CWP outer diameter, while accommodating large radial excursions on the order of +/−1 to 2 meters.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,373,986 discloses a riser connector that connects the upper portion of a riser having a latching enlargement to a receptacle on a vessel, so the riser upper end can connect to a fluid coupling leading to a conduit on the vessel. The enlargement has a diameter larger than that of the riser and encircles the riser. A double-click mechanism, with parts on the enlargement and on the receptacle, turns a load ring on the enlargement to latch the enlargement in place when it is lifted to an upper position and lowered to a latched position, and releases it by again lifting and lowering. A cable coupling is temporarily mounted on the top of the riser to enable the riser to be lifted by a cable, the cable coupling being later removed to connect the riser upper end to the fluid coupling on the vessel.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is a sealed gimbal that provides for passive vertical latching and unlatching of the CWP, which is in turn sealingly connected to the floating vessel—e.g., an OTEC surface power plant. The CWP gimbal is capable of reacting all static and dynamic forces of the suspended CWP at angles on the order of +/−20 degrees while remaining sealed at high differential pressures.

Other OTEC conceptual designs propose a large bellows or diaphragm (presumably made from rubber) to seal the differential pressure. A gimballing ball connection is usually described for the structural connection. As the OTEC concept has thus far only been demonstrated in small, prototype operations, large diameter gimbal seals with high differential pressures are unknown at present.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a seal gimbal CWP support according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the portion of FIG. 1 indicated as Detail A therein.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the portion of FIG. 1 indicated as Detail B therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention may best be understood by reference to the exemplary embodiment(s) illustrated in the drawing figures.

The structural connection consists of a centrally-located passive rotating latch and spherical elastomeric flexible joint which may be capable of angles of +/−20 degrees under axial loading of approximately 500 tonnes. The outer gimbal seal consists of overlapping spherical shells sealed by rolling diaphragms with opposing concave surfaces to the positive pressure differentials. The spherical shells are overlapped and nested as to rotate about the flexible joint while maintaining a constant sealing gap of minimal pressure area. The rolling diaphragm seals provide effective sealing at large sealing interface excursions without friction due to rubbing or sliding.

The rolling diaphragm seal “bending front” does not stay in one place with respect to the outer shell. The sealing front shifts by the percent difference of the two radii times the sealing arc distance. The anti-compression block needs to accommodate this displacement. In one particular preferred embodiment the displacement may be accommodated with a gap of about 1.6″ on each side of the block. Alternatively, the block may be located outside the two sealing fronts.

The top spherical shell of the gimbal seal terminates into the moon pool of the surface power plant. Alternatively, the gimbal (together with the gimbal seal) may terminate at an outboard location such as in a wing tank or at a location outboard of the molded lines of the hull—i.e., “over the side”. In such a case, a large-diameter pipe may be hung from a porch containing the female portion of the connector. An inflatable or diaphragm packer provides a seal into the bottom of the sea chest or cold water well of the vessel.

The advantages of a large diameter Cold Water Pipe Sealed Gimbal according to the present invention include at least the following:

a. The vertical latching system is passive which only requires a winch wire to pull in.

b. Latching and unlatching is accomplished by simply raising and lowering the winch wire connected to the CWP.

c. The structural connection accommodates high axial and radial loading while reacting angular excursions on the order of +/−20 degrees.

d. The moments induced by the angular excursions are very low relative to the pipe strength and moment of inertia—on the order of 50 kN-m/deg.

e. The gimbal design is installable by pull in by a winch wire from the floating power plant without the aid of surface divers.

f. The gimbal accommodates all loading and angles with minimal restriction to cold water flow.

g. The spherical shells of the gimbal sealingly connect the CWP to the power plant and can withstand relatively high outer and inner differential pressures of approximately 1.7 bar.

h. The gimbal diaphragm seals do not slide with friction and provide effective sealing with low rotational stiffness, thereby not appreciably adding to bending stresses in the CWP.

i. The Sealed Gimbal of the present invention is relatively inexpensive and simple. It may be constructed of readily available components such as steel tank heads, reinforced rubber conveyor belt material, standard flanges, inflatable packers, spherical flexible joints and rotating latch mechanisms.

j. The gimbal diaphragm seals react to the positive pressure differential at their concave surface, thereby avoiding problems with seal displacement.

k. The gimbal diaphragm seals roll in lieu of sliding and therefore may be expected to last 20 years or more in service.

l. The diaphragm seals between the spherical shells accommodate large relative excursions on the order of +/−1 m with minimal exposed pressure area and resultant sealing loads.

m. The differential in the concave seal shape can provide self-energized sealing by managing the pressure area opposite the seal contact area.

n. All the CWP sealing gimbal components are proven in marine environments with well-established means of corrosion protection.

o. The mechanically-engaged, flexible connector shown in the drawing figures is one of several quick-connect and release mechanisms that may be utilized. The illustrated mechanism is of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,373,986 as part of a riser connector. All of the mechanisms are smaller and internal to the riser.

p. The supporting structural struts may be used for alternative functions such as flow straighteners, instrumentation rack, chemical injection stations, ultraviolet lighting foundations, and the like.

Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, they are not intended to limit what this patent covers. One skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as literally and equivalently covered by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel comprising: a gimbal connected to the floating vessel and having means for connecting to a Cold Water Pipe suspended below the vessel; a seal comprising overlapping frusto-spherical shells at least partially surrounding the gimbal; and, a rolling diaphragm seal between the overlapping frusto-spherical shells.
 2. A method for installing a Cold Water Pipe on a floating OTEC vessel comprising: suspending a Cold Water Pipe from a support vessel proximate the OTEC vessel; transferring the Cold Water Pipe from the support vessel to the OTEC vessel such that the Cold Water Pipe is suspended below a moon pool well on the OTEC vessel; raising a pull-in rod that passes through a mechanically-engaged, flexible connector and is attached to a structural support for the upper end of the suspended Cold Water Pipe; engaging the mechanically-engaged, flexible connector from which the Cold Water Pipe is suspended; and, inflating an inflatable packer seal between an upper frusto-spherical shell and the sides of the moon pool well on the OTEC vessel.
 3. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 1 further comprising: a web structure comprising a plurality of substantially vertical plates in a radial array each connected at a first end thereof to the gimbal and at an opposing second end thereof to the Cold Water Pipe.
 4. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 3 wherein the web structure is connected to the gimbal with a pull-in rod that passes through the gimbal.
 5. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 3 wherein the web structure is connected to the Cold Water Pipe with a substantially cylindrical tube attached at a first end to each plate and at a second end to the upper end of the Cold Water Pipe.
 6. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 3 wherein the web structure acts as a flow straightener for water moving from the Cold Water Pipe through the web structure and into the vessel.
 7. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 1 wherein the gimbal has a smaller outside diameter than the inside diameter of the Cold Water Pipe.
 8. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 1 wherein the gimbal comprises a mechanically-engaged, flexible connector.
 9. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 1 wherein the gimbal is located in the flow path of water moving from the Cold Water Pipe into the OTEC vessel.
 10. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 1 wherein the gimbal comprises a pelican hook.
 11. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 1 wherein the gimbal comprises a snap shackle.
 12. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 1 wherein the gimbal comprises a quick-release fitting.
 13. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 1 wherein the gimbal comprises means for resisting rotation of the Cold Water Pipe about its vertical axis.
 14. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 1 wherein the gimbal comprises means for supporting the Cold Water Pipe at an angle from the vertical of up to about 20 degrees.
 15. A support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel comprising: a gimbal connected to the floating vessel and having means for connecting to a Cold Water Pipe suspended below the vessel; a seal comprising overlapping frusto-spherical shells at least partially surrounding the gimbal; and, a seal between the overlapping frusto-spherical shells.
 16. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 15 wherein the seal between the overlapping frusto-spherical shells comprises at least two internal rolling diaphragms.
 17. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 15 wherein the seal between the overlapping frusto-spherical shells comprises an external diaphragm bag.
 18. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 15 wherein the seal between the overlapping frusto-spherical shells comprises synthetic composite bearing material.
 19. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 15 wherein the seal between the overlapping frusto-spherical shells comprises a seal spherical roller bearing.
 20. The support for a suspended Cold Water Pipe on a floating vessel recited in claim 15 wherein the seal between the overlapping frusto-spherical shells comprises an inflated, external, toroidal bag.
 21. A method for decoupling a gimbal and Cold Water Pipe suspended from a floating vessel comprising: deflating an inflatable packer seal between an upper frusto-spherical shell and the sides of a moon pool well on the vessel; disengaging a mechanically-engaged, flexible connector from which the Cold Water Pipe is suspended; lowering a pull-in rod that passes through the mechanically-engaged, flexible connector and is attached to a structural support for the upper end of the suspended Cold Water Pipe from a first higher position to a second, lower position; supporting the pull-in rod together with the suspended Cold Water Pipe at the second, lower position until certain metocean conditions exist; raising the pull-in rod; engaging the mechanically-engaged, flexible connector; and, inflating the inflatable packer seal.
 22. The method recited in claim 21 wherein the Cold Water Pipe comprises a chain weight attached to its lower end and, when the pull-in rod is lowered to the second, lower position, a portion of the chain weight rests on the seafloor such that Cold Water Pipe is substantially, neutrally buoyant.
 23. A method for recovering a Cold Water Pipe suspended from a floating vessel for repair comprising: deflating an inflatable packer seal between an upper frusto-spherical shell and the sides of a moon pool well on the vessel; disengaging a mechanically-engaged, flexible connector from which the Cold Water Pipe is suspended; lowering a pull-in rod that passes through the mechanically-engaged, flexible connector and is attached to a structural support for the upper end of the suspended Cold Water Pipe from a first higher position to a second, lower position; moving the pull-in rod together with the Cold Water Pipe to a third position that is laterally displaced from the second position; and, raising the pull-in rod to a fourth, higher position that is laterally displaced from the first position.
 24. The method recited in claim 23 wherein the third position is below a support vessel proximate the vessel and the fourth position is on a deck of said support vessel.
 25. The method recited in claim 23 wherein the third position is below a structure overhanging a side of the vessel and the fourth position is on the vessel.
 26. A method for decommissioning a segmented Cold Water Pipe suspended from a floating vessel comprising: deflating an inflatable packer seal between an upper frusto-spherical shell and the sides of a moon pool well on the vessel; disengaging a mechanically-engaged, flexible connector from which the Cold Water Pipe is suspended; lowering a pull-in rod that passes through the mechanically-engaged, flexible connector and is attached to a structural support for the upper end of the suspended Cold Water Pipe from a first higher position to a second, lower position; moving the pull-in rod together with the Cold Water Pipe to a third position that is laterally displaced from the second position; raising the pull-in rod to a fourth, higher position that is laterally displaced from the first position; and, removing a segment from the Cold Water Pipe.
 27. The method recited in claim 26 wherein the third position is below a support vessel proximate the vessel and the fourth position is on a deck of said support vessel.
 28. The method recited in claim 26 wherein the third position is below a structure overhanging a side of the vessel and the fourth position is on the vessel. 